iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 3h

Moments before my Greninja trifecta deck got absolutely FARMED by item-locking Pult, Zam, & Slowking at my 1st League Cup of the season. I will end you, Budew. This I swear. And Dragapult players? Dishonor on you, on your cow, on your whole family. #PokemonTCG #playPokemon (list in alt text.)

A selfie of Nathan prior to his first Pokémon TCG League Cup of the 2026-2027 season. Nathan is wearing a black denim jacket over a black t-shirt featuring the goofy spooky Pokémon Haunter (Nathan’s favorite) and the words ‘Lavender Town’.

Nathan is peeking out from behind dark, round sunglasses with a coy look on his face, as if to say, “Oh yeah, that’s me - about to go get absolutely ANNIHILATED by the most garbage mechanics in this children’s card game.”

Nathan’s Greninja Shuriken Trifecta deck.

Decklist:

Pokémon: 12
2 Frogadier CRI 21
1 Psyduck MEP 7
3 Froakie CRI 20
1 Shaymin DRI 10
1 Greninja ex TWM 106
2 Dreepy TWM 128
1 Munkidori SVALT 155
2 Greninja ex 30C 21
2 Mega Greninja ex CRI 22
2 Drakloak ASC 159
1 Froakie TWM 56
1 Dragapult ex TWM 130

Trainer: 14
1 Energy Retrieval EVO 77
3 Rare Candy PGO 69
1 Brock's Scouting JTG 146
2 Ultra Ball CRZ 146
4 Poké Pad POR 81
1 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 176
2 Surfing Beach MEG 129
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Hilda WHT 84
1 Special Red Card CRI 113
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
2 Boss's Orders SWSHALT 127

Energy: 5
1 Basic {D} Energy Energy 24
6 Basic {W} Energy Energy 20
1 Ignition Energy WHT 86
1 Neo Upper Energy TEF 162
1 Mist Energy TEF 161

Total Cards: 60

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Bits @bitshammer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

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Rob Atlas @robatlas.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Dragapult did not win Baltimore Today is a good day

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PokeGuardian @pokeguardian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Participating Local Play! Pokémon Stores will hold a Pokéween event between October 1 to October 31, 2026 Players can earn a Pokéween Sticker sheet & Pokéween Zubat, Golbat, and Crobat promo cards that also features the Play! Pokémon logo. #PokemonTCG #ポケモンカード #ポケカ

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PokeDuels @pokeduels.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

if you're a new player and your deck plays 4 dudunsparce PLEASE learn to shuffle before bringing it to an in person event learning to shuffle properly in an appropriate amount of time is an important skill to work on

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P.ART | Sable @thadiff.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Official statement from TPCi finally: tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/galler...

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I really, really don’t like this face. Rest of the game looks neat, though, so maybe I’ll just keep the camera on Link’s back.

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Michael Daly @michaeldaly64.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

1987. Bowie was a voracious reader all his life, & travelled with a 'capsule library' including old favourites & new books. Marilyn Monroe had done similar

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sirsoundwaveIV @sirsoundwaveiv.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

the kids in OoT look weird but im a fan of the rest of the art direction in the remake, like shiek looked super pretty in that little bit we saw of her

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kwikpanik @kwikpanik.standingintheodds.com · 07/09/2026

GIMP is FREE. The many sprite, model, and official art repositories we have in the Pokémon community are FREE. Watching a Youtube video on how to make thumbnails in GIMP is FREE. It is FREE to learn how to make your own stream and video assets and not disenfranchise REAL artists

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Now, to find a way to KO multiple 1-prizers with this archetype… Sharpedo likes big bites, but there’s a lot of little dudes running around, especially at the other locals I’m attending tonight (looking at you, Alakazam) Decisions, decisions.

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Last night, for the first time, I won 1st place at locals 🥇 What a way to start the ‘26-‘27 #PokemonTCG season! No one suspects Mega Sharpedo - hits fast, very disruptive, surprisingly versatile. 2-0-1: W - Toucannon T - Slowking W - N’s Zoroark / Blaziken

Nathan’s 1st place winning Mega Sharpedo deck (Sept. 1, 2026)

Decklist:

Pokémon: 11
2 Toxel MEP 78
2 Toxtricity PFL 68
3 Carvanha PFL 60
3 Mega Sharpedo ex PFL 61
2 Buneary PFL 83
1 Mega Lopunny ex PFL 84
1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
2 Munkidori SVALT 155
1 Chi-Yu PBL 59
1 Tatsugiri TWM 131

Trainer: 17
2 Judge FLI 108
1 Judge FST 235
3 Boss's Orders SWSHALT 127
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
2 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 176
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Gravity Mountain SSP 177
1 Team Rocket's Watchtower ASC 210
1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
2 Binding Mochi SFA 55
2 Ultra Ball CRZ 146
3 Poké Pad POR 81
1 Mega Signal MEG 121
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
1 Special Red Card CRI 82
1 Energy Switch SUM 117
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61

Energy: 1
9 Basic {D} Energy Energy 24

Total Cards: 60

A close up picture of 3 Carvanha cards, 3 Judge cards, and 3 Mega Sharpedo cards, all arranged on a playmat.

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BentoBox.TCG @beweeeeeee.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Dear Pokémon Winds and Waves, I am only asking for one thing and it is to create an adult avatar so I can accurately represent myself as a casualty of society who still enjoys Pokémon…like Larry. Thanks.

static.klipy.com

Larry Pokemon Adjusts Tie

ALT: Larry Pokemon Adjusts Tie

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I can rest easy tonight knowing Diego Cassiraga is bringing Alakazam to beat up Dragapult in the #PokemonTCG #WorldChampionships. Brent Tonisson and Andrew Hedrick are masterful players, but a Dragapult mirror match for the finals would be an abysmal end to this garbage Pult format snoozefest.

static.klipy.com

Pokemon Stadium Alakazam

ALT: Pokemon Stadium Alakazam

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Magitek @magitekelite.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

us player going for the handshake while the jp player goes for the fistbump, a true cultural exchange

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토끼머리 @powerandy145.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

ROAR

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Smooth Dunk @smoothdunk2.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

4 panel comic

Panel 1:
A post from “kavishj9611” that reads:

“All the people who are anti-Al or want to slow Al progress, I have one question:
If Al disappeared tomorrow, could you still get through an entire workday without ChatGPT, Claude, or any other
Al tool?
Imagine Al was suddenly banned.
Would you actually be willing to give it up?”

Panel 2:
And Orange Guy and a Pink Guy are standing in a room that has two pipes in it. Both pipes are pumping raw sewage into the room. The characters are waist deep in it.
Orange Guy says smugly “Ok Mr “I don’t want to be in a room that’s filling up with raw sewage” let me ask you this”

Panel 3:
The sewage has reached their chests. Pink Guy is gagging. Orange Guy smugly continues “If all this sewage disappeared right now, could you get through the day without it?”

Panel 4:
The sewage is almost up to their eyeballs. Orange Guys says “Look at that shit floating past your face. Are you willing to give that up?”

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Does anyone have a good website showing all the Pokémon 30th Anniversary cards w/ translations so far? I am prepping for a regional TCG tournament coming up, and I want to stay updated on all the options I will have.

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Spheal Posting @sphealposting.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

a spheal pokemon sitting cuties plush wearing headphones that are too big for it on a white background with the text "I like music especially songs and albums"

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Okay, but why did they NERF Diancie from Stellar Crown (released 2 YEARS AGO next month, btw) when that menace Dragapult is allowed to haunt every table in the TCG

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abby @abbysux.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Thomas, I am a bit concerned about this gaming industry collapse

We play 20 year old games

Splendid.

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Now THIS is a card. The artwork AND the attack effect are good.

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Looks like RK9 was holding the door open just long enough to let me in 💪😎 The Louisville Regional Championships will be my 2nd ever major tournament, and the first regional I’ve played in since 2023. Time to cook 👨🏼‍🍳 #PokemonTCG #playPokemon

Screenshot of an email confirming my registration for the 2027 Louisville Pokémon TCG Regional Championships (taking place Oct. 9-11, 2026)

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Bodega Cats @bodegacats.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

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ʟᴜɪs ʜᴇʀɴᴀɴᴅᴇᴢ ⚡ @beetlenaut.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

this is why we cant have nice things pay your artists, pay your craftsmen

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mistress von toasty @toasty.cx · 08/08/2026

I haven't seen anyone on here fawn over the Carlisle 5216 cup for a while and I think perhaps that's where we have gone astray as a community

A Carlisle 5216 16 ounce stackable tumbler cup in ruby red, ubiquitous in many a pizza restaurant from our youths

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This is awesome for new and old players alike for deckbuilding and avoiding having to buy/hunt through bulk bins for playables… But there’s going to be a LOT of kids uninterested in playing whose parents buy it because it has Meowth on it and no clear-cut list of what other cards are in it.

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Cyndaquilism @cyndaquilism.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Anime screenshot in which Cyndaquil is facing a weird knight with sunglasses?? and the text "i will always succeed because i am insane".

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geech @geech.net · 04/08/2026

i dont give a fuck who you are you are not above the five dollar costco rotisserie chicken

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the Mountain Goats @themountaingoats.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I agree strongly with this -- in that difficult moment, the possibility of collective effort was conceivable. Not everybody felt it, but many did. I think the political class did not like this one bit.

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Nathan Rodgers-Smith (v.34a) @pureimaginathan.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Dichotomies shun nuance. Don’t be an introvert or an extrovert. The boxes cannot contain you. Be every beautiful, in-between shade of self that you are ❤️

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Tolarian Community College @tolariancommunitycollege.com · 01/08/2026

I fucking hate AI almost as much as I hate the sniveling asshole billionaires and shithole corporations who have all forced it into every conceivable spot in our lives. It literally makes everything worse and it makes us worse and I fucking hate it.

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Tammy Komoff @tammykomoff.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Damn, this made me chuckle.😆

barbwritesstuff: I have learnt today that my library refers to me as "the specific and highly active user" and has denied some of my purchase requests because "we can't skew the collection too much toward the taste of the specific and highly active use."

I did suggest roughly 100 vampire books for purchase last year. I think this probably has something to do with that.

Dragon-in-a-fez: op is there any particular reason the librarians would feel safer not invoking you by name?

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miss fern (scary) 🏳️‍⚧️🎃 @miss-fern.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

unseal your cards, unseal your comics, take things out of the fucking box. it's all just cardboard and plastic. fuck the resale market

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